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Abstract
Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L. f.) is an undesirable species in silvicultural systems that aim to produce high quality sawtimber and pulpwood. During stand initiation, pin cherry can rapidly capture canopy growing space and relegate other species to subcanopy positions as it is among the most rapid growers in height. It is estimated that pin cherry seed can remain viable for 50150 years (Wendel 1990) and its germination is stimulated by regeneration cutting or other intense canopy disturbance. The intense competitive positioning of pin cherry during stand initiation can result in reduced growth or mortality of more desirable species. Although relatively short-lived, pin cherry can comprise a significant amount of stocking up to age 20. This prolonged dominance decreases efficiency and flexibility of early precommerical thinnings: thinning crews will likely focus on eliminating pin cherry rather than selecting crop trees from among competing desirable species. The intent of this poster is to document the effects of an understory fire on dormant pin cherry seed germination and to discuss implications for potential control of this species.
Parent Publication
Citation
McGill, David W.; Bridge, Edmund T.; Hudson, Jason. 1999. Understory fire effects on pin cherry (
Prunus pensylvanica L.f.) seed germination. In: Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Loftis, David L., eds. 1999. Proceedings, 12th central hardwood forest conference; 1999 February 28-March 1-2; Lexington, KY. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-24. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 293 p
